Chapter 1 - The Dinner That Exposed Him
The sound of the broken plate still echoed through the mansion.
Nobody at the table moved.
Victor Hale stood beside the dining table, breathing heavily.
His expensive suit was spotless.
But his reputation was already beginning to crack.
Lena sat quietly in her ivory chair.
Her cheek was wet with tears.
Not because of the plate.
Not because of the food scattered across the floor.
Because everyone finally saw the man she had been hiding from.
Helen and Richard remained frozen near the doorway.
They had arrived only seconds earlier.
But they had seen enough.
Victor looked at them and forced a nervous smile.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
Richard did not answer.
Helen stared at Lena.
She noticed the way Lena’s hands were shaking.
She noticed the fear in her eyes.
And she finally understood.
This was not the first time.
Victor stepped closer.
“Lena, tell them what really happened.”
Lena slowly looked up.
For years, she had protected his image.
For years, she had made excuses.
But tonight was different.
“You want me to explain?”
Her voice was quiet.
Almost too quiet.
“Then let everyone hear the truth.”
Victor’s expression changed.
Because he knew something had already begun.
May you like
Then Lena picked up the dark-green phone.
And Victor realized he was no longer in control.
